The Gators, coming out of the SEC's cruiserweight division, stepped up into the big-boy weight class Saturday and pounded, pummeled and punched No. 4-ranked LSU right in the mouth en route to a coming-of-age 14-6 victory for UF Coach Will Muschamp's second-year program.

Muschamp's nickname is "Coach Boom" and that sonic detonation you heard Saturday night was his team exploding as a legitimate contender in the slobber-knocking, meat-grinding league known as the SEC. Muschamp has said since the day he took over as coach that the SEC is a "line of scrimmage" league and it's imperative to dominate the interior if you want to compete for championships. The Gators did just that on this sunny, honey of a Saturday afternoon in front of a soaring, rip-roaring crowd of 90,824 at The Swamp.

Florida fans chanted "It's great to be a Florida Gator" as Muschamp trotted off the field, thrust his fist into the air and Gator-chomped his way into the locker room. For Muschamp, this was not only his signature victory; it had his John Hancock all over it in big, bold letters. He may be one of the youngest coaches in the league, but he teaches old-school football values: Running the ball, suffocating defense, beating the other team into bloody submission.

Muschamp grew up in Gainesville watching Charley Pell coaching the Gators and Pat Dye coaching Auburn, and now his teams play the same stout, steely style. We are in a new millennium, but Muschamp evokes memories of a different era.

"That was typical 1980s SEC out there today," Muschamp said after the victory. "It was a physical, physical match because both lines of scrimmage put pressure on the quarterback. That's the difference in playing in this league and these other leagues you watch on TV. I know (fans and media) like to see all these points being scored, but those quarterbacks wouldn't make it through the season playing in our league."

The Gators not only beat LSU at its own game – dominating, devastating defense and a pounding, pulverizing running game – they beat up LSU at the same time. Florida made LSU's offense look as dazed and confused as President Obama in the debate earlier this week. They broke the teeth and blackened the eyes of LSU's vaunted defensive line, making it look like the bloody side of beef Rocky Balboa pounded to get ready for his first fight with Apollo Creed. When you take away sack yardage, the Gators ran for 239 yards; LSU ran for 46.

The Gators had less passing yards (61) on Saturday than they've had in decades, but Muschamp doesn't care. He was quite content letting stud running back Mike Gillislee pound the ball 34 times for 146 yards and two touchdowns. On Florida's final 22 plays of the game, the Gators ran the ball 22 times.

"Now that was fun," Muschamp said and smiled.

Offensive guard Jon Halapio smiled even wider. He remembers last year when UF was gutted by LSU 41-11 in a game in which the Tigers steamrolled the Gators for 238 rushing yards. This time, it was Florida that kept bashing and banging on the Tigers until they were gassed and giving up.

"There was one point in the game when I was looking in eyes of No. 77 (LSU defensive tackle Josh Downs) and he was dead tired," Halapio said. "That's a great feeling. That's what you look for in a game. When you see that, it gives you the intensity and motivation to just go ahead and finish them off."

Mission accomplished.

The Gators knocked out LSU and are now legitimate contenders in the SEC's heavyweight division, but Coach Boom offers a word of warning.

"The higher you climb up the mountain," Muschamp says, "the more treacherous the steps become."

Maybe so, but right now his Gators have ascended into rarefied air.

They should take just a moment to enjoy the view.

mbianchi@tribune.com. Follow him on Twitter @BianchiWrites. Listen to his radio show every weekday from 6 to 9 a.m. on 740 AM.